The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-29
ONE OF THF LORDS POOR.
BY FRANCIS BLAKE ROWLAND.

Deacon Thomas and his wife sat alone
by the wide, open fireplace in the "best
room" of the old gray farmhouse which
had sheltered three generations of the
Thomas family, and was good enough,
the deacon often declared for three gen.
erations more.
All, that was it. That was one reason
why the worthy couple used the "best
room" as common to the envious wonder
of all the neighbors, though to be sure,
good Betsey Thomss thought more of
health and comfort than of fading her
psrlor carpet.
What disturbed them most was the fact
that no children had blessed their union
Of over forty years, and the homestead
must pass into other hands when they
were done with it.
"Not that twill make much odds TO us
when we're Dead" said the old man with
q sigh, "but like to know that it was
kinder in the family. What dye say to
taking child, Betsey, one of the Lords
poor to kinder be son to us, and have
the old farm when we are gomez"
"If we could be sure we'd find the right
kind, Abram. Some of 'em is ungrateful,
I've heard, and /"
The sentence was interrupted by
timid knock at the front door.
"Who can it be at this time of night2"
calculated the good woman as she hastily
opened it.
"There III the rain and cold of the
"sprinR thaw" stood thinly clad boy
who seemed not more than ten years al
though his pinched face had an older
look.
"Well, sonny, come in."
"What do you want, my boy?" asked
the deacon kindly.
Nothing, please, sir, only to get warm.
I saw the light-Pve been travelling all
day. was cold and hungry, and"
"HunRry, shouldn't wonder. Bless
my soul, you shan't say that long," and
the clatter Of dishes in the kitchen told
OF Aunt Betsy's hospitsble haste, while
her more cautious husband went on with
his questions looking kindly at the lad,
who shivered as he stretched his thin
hands to the cheerful warmth.
"A-ahl Where'd you come from7'
From Brownville. I've been working
In the factory there"
"What's your nameP"
frank Neddo."
allow old are you?'
Thirteen"
"Humpb, thought you were about ten."
I'm little, but was thirteen last Au-
gust"
"U'umi Where's your father and moth
erY
In Lewiston. They fit. Father used
70 drink and mother left him. Then they
both got married again."
"Then you have two homes now"
1.-TWO mothers and two fathers do you
meanp 1 amt got no home. They don't
none Of them, want me round. Seems
If there warn't no room for me any
where" and the thin lips quivered as he
gazed into the glowing bed of GOALS
under the great forelog, and bravely
winked back the tears that filed his
great solemn eyes.
mo ROOM Abrsm, we have room, and
nobody to fill it. Perhaps the good Lord
sent him to u.s." whispered Aunt Betsey
as she paused a moment by her hus-
bands chair. Then she added aloud,
"Oome, now, and eat a bite. Here,
there's nothing 80 warming as good gin
ger tea. Eat all you want guess vict-
usls amt been none too plenty with you.
My, Abrsm, don't it do you good to zee
him7 Poor thingP
But deacon Thomas was in brown
study, from which he did not arouse him
self until the boy returned to the Preside.
"AshemP' he began deliberately, cycling
him keenly over his glasses. "How would
you like TO live here, Frank?"
"Herel with you2" asked the boy, with
incredulous ewes